Kiambu elders curse Gathoni Wamuchomba in bitter row against Affordable Housing project

Tension gripped Kia Wairera in Githunguri, Kiambu County, after members of the Kikuyu Council of Elders and Kiama Kia Ma elders staged a symbolic traditional ritual over a disputed 58-acre parcel of land, intensifying a growing standoff between cultural preservation and development.

In a viral video seen by TNX Africa, the elders, dressed in traditional attire, shattered calabashes, a significant act in Gikuyu culture used to express grave grievances and invoke ancestral judgment. The ritual was widely interpreted as a spiritual “curse” or stern warning.

The elders maintain the land is a sacred community shrine with deep historical and cultural roots, arguing it should be preserved as a heritage site to honour their ancestors.

The dispute arises from a reported government plan to develop Affordable Housing units on the land, a move the elders strongly oppose.

Yesterday, Kikuyu elders performed a traditional cursing ritual in Githunguri, Kiambu County. The ceremony was held at the Githunguri kia Wairera shrine, a 58-acre piece of land that is currently the subject of a dispute between the local community and the government. pic.twitter.com/Oyx8H7qEKc

— The Kenyan Vigilante (@KenyanSays) April 11, 2026

During the charged ceremony, the elders directed their protest at leaders they accuse of backing the project, including President William Ruto and Githunguri MP Gathoni Wamuchomba, underscoring the depth of resistance within the community.

As crowds gathered, police were deployed to the area, blocking access to the site and using tear gas to disperse sections of demonstrators as tensions escalated.

The elders were forced to conduct prayers and rituals outside the restricted zone.

Despite the standoff, the elders proceeded with the ceremony, warning of consequences for those who disregard their traditions.

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They also called on the government to halt the housing project and instead honour the prophecy of Mugo wa Kibiru by designating the land as a sacred site.

At the heart of the conflict are competing interests over land use. While the elders insist on cultural preservation, supporters of the housing initiative argue it forms part of a broader national agenda to expand access to affordable housing.

Wamuchomba has defended the project, saying it aligns with the government’s development priorities despite mounting opposition.

Meanwhile, the High Court has issued a temporary order halting any activity on the land pending a hearing set for July 2026, effectively pausing the project as the legal battle unfolds.

The incident has also sparked mixed reactions online, with some Kenyans questioning ownership of the land, while others debated whether traditional beliefs can influence state-led development.